CCMR/Counseling Newsletter

VISION: The vision of DeSoto ISD is to inspire curiosity and consciousness, develop character, build courage and nurture compassion.

MISSION: The mission of DeSoto ISD is to ensure students, without exception, learn and grow at their highest levels.

Join Girlstart for the annual Girls in STEM Conference in Dallas on Saturday, April 18th at Lake Highlands High School!

This exciting event is designed for girls currently in 4th–5th and 6th–8th grades to explore the fun and possibilities of STEM careers. Participants will engage in a full day of learning through three hands-on workshops, led by women professionals in science, technology, engineering, and math fields.

Workshops are tailored by grade level to ensure an engaging and age-appropriate experience for all participants.

Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to inspire curiosity, confidence, and future career exploration in STEM!

AP study sessions are available after school and on Saturdays from January through April to help students prepare for their AP exams. These sessions provide valuable opportunities for targeted review, practice exams, and guided support from AP teachers.

📌 How to Join:
Check with your AP teacher for the specific study session schedule for your AP subject. Attending these sessions can help strengthen your understanding of key concepts and improve your confidence before the exam.

Stay committed to your AP success—take advantage of these study opportunities! 💪📚

We are please to welcome two full-time Education is Freedom (EIF) Advisors to the DeSoto High School Campus to work with our high school students.

The EIF Advisors are each dedicated to one campus for the entire school year and are in their classroom throughout the school day to assist all students with activities related to their future education. In high schools, this includes:

· Researching college options

· Working on applications

· Writing admissions essays

· Completing FAFSA/TASFA applications

· Completing scholarship applications

· Exploring workforce training and certification programs

· Supporting SAT/ACT/TSIA/ASVAB preparation

In addition to the daily interaction with and guidance to students, EIF Advisors facilitate all student and parent activities throughout the year, such as college application and SAT/ACT preparatory workshops. EIF Advisors also facilitate EIF’s annual financial aid workshops for EIF parents and students to complete federal and state financial aid applications.

Southern Illinois University’s (SIU) Chancellor, in partnership with the Education is Freedom (EIF) Team, recently hosted a special event to celebrate admitted seniors. During this exciting event, one outstanding senior was selected to receive the prestigious SIU Chancellor’s Scholarship. This recognition highlights the student’s hard work, academic achievement, and bright future ahead. Congratulations to our scholar on this incredible accomplishment!

There are scholarships available for ALL grade levels. The CCMR department has compiled a list of scholarship opportunities that range from elementary to high school. It is never too early to start securing funds for college. View the listings below and start applying today!!

SchooLinks is a comprehensive college and career readiness platform that empowers students and parents to navigate the journey from elementary school through high school and beyond.

Through SchooLinks, students gain access to:

• Academic Planning Tools — course selection, graduation tracking, and progress monitoring

• Career Exploration Resources — interest inventories, career profiles, and pathway planning

• Postsecondary Readiness Supports — college searches, scholarship databases, and application tracking

• Parent Engagement Features — opportunities for parents/guardians to partner in goal-setting and decision-making

💡 This program equips students with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to plan their future—whether their path leads to college, career, or military service.

👉 Check out our SchooLinks Presentation (below) to learn more about all of the powerful features available to families!

This fall, EIF launched an exciting new partnership with Kaplan to help students boost their SAT scores and achieve TSI-met status.

Through this pilot initiative, 11th and 12th graders at 21 Dallas ISD campuses, two Garland ISD campuses, and one in DeSoto now have access to Kaplan’s premier SAT Prep program. Students can join live online classes or learn on demand, giving them flexibility to prepare on their own schedule.

By improving SAT scores, students can unlock more scholarship opportunities and avoid costly remedial courses—saving time and money as they begin college.

The Gifted & Talented (GT) program is designed for students who show advanced abilities, creativity, or leadership skills. It gives students the chance to go beyond the regular classroom, explore new ideas, and challenge themselves in exciting ways.

🎯 What Students Experience in GT

• Challenging Classes: Learn at a deeper and faster pace.

• Creative Projects: Explore passions in STEM, arts, writing, leadership, and more.

• Special Opportunities: Research projects, competitions, and advanced coursework.

• Supportive Peers: Learn alongside other students who love to think big and dream big.

🌱 Benefits for Students

• Stay Challenged – Explore advanced topics and never feel bored.

• Grow Confidence – Discover strengths and talents.

• Be Ready for the Future – Gain skills for college, careers, and beyond.

• Make Friends Who Inspire You – Build connections with other motivated students.

• Learn to Lead – Practice problem-solving, teamwork, and leadership.

💡 Why GT Matters

GT programming helps students reach their full potential by giving them the tools to think critically, act creatively, and succeed academically—all while having fun learning!

Our Counseling Services team is committed to helping students build their future readiness from elementary through high school. Here are age-appropriate tips to guide students at every stage of the journey:

🏫 Elementary School – Awareness

• Dream Big: Talk about future jobs and careers you’re curious about.

• Build Habits: Practice organization, responsibility, and teamwork in school and at home.

• Explore Interests: Join clubs, sports, or arts to discover what you enjoy.

• Learn from Role Models: Ask parents, teachers, and grandparents about their jobs and education.

• Reading Matters: Strengthen literacy—it’s the foundation for all future learning.

🏢 Middle School – Exploration

• Connect Interests to Careers: Take career interest surveys and explore pathways in SchooLinks.

• Focus on Academics: Build a strong foundation in reading, math, and science—these open more opportunities later.

• Get Involved: Participate in CTE courses, clubs, and extracurriculars to test new interests.

• Goal Setting: Set short-term and long-term goals; practice tracking progress.

• Parent Conversations: Talk with your family about future plans, including college, military, or career options.

🎓 High School – Preparation

• Course Planning: Choose classes aligned with your graduation plan and career pathway (AP, Dual Credit, CTE, etc.).

• College & Career Research: Use SchooLinks to research colleges, scholarships, and programs of study.

• Testing Readiness: Prepare for SAT, ACT, and TSIA; review results with your counselor.

• Hands-On Experience: Seek internships, job shadowing, volunteer work, and leadership roles.

• Scholarships & Applications: Track deadlines, request recommendations early, and stay organized.

• Ask for Support: Regularly meet with your school counselor for guidance and resources.

School counselors play a vital role in supporting students' academic, personal, and future goals. Often working behind the scenes, counselors are key advocates who help ensure that every child has the tools they need to succeed—not just in the classroom, but in life.

Whether helping a student navigate their class schedule, plan for college or career paths, resolve peer conflict, or access emotional support, school counselors are trusted guides and problem-solvers in every school building.

For Students: A Trusted Source of Support

Counselors are there to listen, guide, and motivate. They:

• Help students develop strong study habits and time management skills

• Offer social-emotional support and conflict resolution strategies

• Assist in setting short-term academic and long-term career goals

• Provide resources and support for college applications, scholarships, and workforce opportunities

For Parents: A Partner in Your Child’s Success

School counselors work closely with families to:

• Communicate academic progress and share strategies for improvement

• Support social and emotional development during key transition periods

• Provide referrals to outside services when additional help is needed

• Collaborate with parents to develop individualized plans for student success

At every grade level, school counselors are a bridge between school and home, helping to create a positive, inclusive, and goal-driven environment. Their work is essential in developing confident, capable students who are ready to take on the world.

So the next time your student needs guidance—or you as a parent have a concern—don’t hesitate to reach out to your school counselor. They are here to help every student thrive.

May is recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month, a meaningful time to focus on supporting student well-being and promoting healthy strategies for managing stress and building resilience.

As we approach the end of the school year, students may experience increased pressure related to exams, transitions, and extracurricular commitments. Families play an important role in helping children navigate these challenges and maintain a positive sense of well-being.

Here are a few ways you can support your child at home:

• Encourage Open Conversations: Create a safe space for your child to share their thoughts and feelings. Listening without judgment can make a significant difference.
• Promote Healthy Routines: Ensure your child is getting enough sleep, eating balanced meals, and staying physically active.
• Teach Stress-Management Strategies: Encourage practices such as deep breathing, taking breaks, journaling, or spending time outdoors.
• Build Resilience: Help your child develop problem-solving skills and a growth mindset by reminding them that challenges are opportunities to learn and grow.
• Stay Connected: Maintain communication with your child’s school and counselors if additional support is needed.

Our district remains committed to supporting the whole child—academically, socially, and emotionally. If you have concerns about your child’s well-being, please do not hesitate to reach out to your campus counselor for support.

Together, we can help our students finish the school year strong and prepared for success. 💚

College will offer your student countless opportunities in life. There are some simple things you can do to help your student prepare.

Start early.

• No matter how young your student is, it is never too early to begin planning for college and talking with your student about it.
  

Be clear.

• Communicate your expectations to your student about his or her behavior and performance in school.

Talk.

• Have frequent conversations with your student about schoolwork, goals and the importance of education.

Encourage.

• Motivate your student to try new activities, volunteer in the community and succeed in school. Studies have shown that students involved in school activities enjoy school more and do better academically. Extra activities at school help students make new friends, gain confidence and new skills and have fun!